Combination card unlock mechanism

ABSTRACT

A CARD ACTUATED SWITCH WHEREIN A MOVABLE PLATE IS PROVIDED WITH A LOCKING PIN BORE AND CONTROL PIN BORES, WHICH, WHEN A CARD IS INSERTED HAVING THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF PROJECTIONS ON IT, IS MOVED AGAINST A SWITCH ARMATURE. IN A SET OF CARDS ALL OF WHICH ARE PROVIDED WITH A PROJECTION FOR RELEASING THE SINGLE LOCKING PIN, SOME ARE PROVIDED WITH A PROJECTION AT THE LOCATION OF ONE CONTROL PIN AND SOME WITH A PROJECTION AT THE LOCATION OF ANOTHER CONTROL PIN, SO THAT A CONTROL KNOB FOR ONE OR ANOTHER OF THE CONTROL PINS CAN BE SET IN ONE POSITION TO BLOCK MOVEMENT OF THE MOVABLE PLATE AND IN ANOTHER POSITION TO PERMIT MOVEMENT OF THE MOVABLE PLATE.

kibMZ 667A at: meanin [72] Inventor Clarence L. Ellelson 2,842,876 7/1958 Clicoine et al 317/134 Burbank, Calif. 2,967.9l6 l/l96l Williams ZOO/42X [2] 1 p "Loss Primary Examiner- Robert K. Schaefer [22] -Filed Nov. 17, 1969 Amman! Examiner-William J. Smith [45] Palemed Anorney- Beehler and Arant [73] Assignee PIrt-O-Mntk Mlg., Inc.

Burbank, Calif.

54 COMBINATION CARD UNLOCK MECHANIS I I u Cm 12 Dn'ilg M ABSTRACT: A card actuated switch wherein a movable plate is provided with a locking pin bore and control pin bores, [52] US. Cl 200/44, which h a card is inserted having the right combination f 70/387 317/134 projections on it, is moved against a switch armature. In a set [5 I] ll. of cards a of which are provided a projection for releas- [50] Field of Search 3 l7/ l34; ing the single |cking piny some are Provided i a projection 200/42: 45; 70/382- 353 (lnqulred) at the location of one control pin and some with a projection at the location of another control pin, so that a control knob [56] Rem-mm for one or another of the control pins can be set in one posi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion to block movement of the movable plate and in another 2,796 489 6/1957 Noregaardhm. ZOO/45X position to permit movement ofthe movable plate.

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COMBINATION CARD UNLOCK MECHANISM Although cards serving as substitutes for keys have had some use heretofore, for the most part, the systems have not been such as to offer different combinations of mechanisms acceptable to different types of cards. By this is meant that the combinations have not been subject to change other than a change which would exclude all cards and require a new issue. Under certain circumstances, for example, in unattended parking lots, where rental terms for occupance may vary as to length of time, or period of occupancy, for example, a card accepting device of appreciably more versatility is required than those heretofore available. Such a versatile type of card accepting device is also highly desirable when certain cards serve as master cards available for use at all times.

Some attempts have been made to supply the need by the issuance of tokens, but tokens are of relatively limited versatility and cannot be varied from time to time without involving appreciable expense.

It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a new and improved card actuated device wherein there is a control which can be readily set to change the combination needed for operation without the operator needing any special tools or special skill.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved card actuated device which. when subjected to an authorized card, is capable of moving an appropriate detector or actuator for releasing some obstacle such as a gate, the device being such that it can be set to exclude operation of cards which have expired, while at the same time permitting operation of cards which remain valid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved card actuated device of such construction that it cannot be readily released by unauthorized persons and, moreover, of such construction that it will retain its adjustment and effectiveness even though attempts may be made to tamper with it by employment of counterfeit cards.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved card actuated device of such design and construction that it can be served with a great many different sets of combinations.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved card actuated device which is simple and rugged in its construction and which is of such design that it is relatively inexpensive to build in any one ofa number of different releasing combinations.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination ofthe various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the Drawings:

FIG. I is a side perspective view of the device showing a card in phantoinview inserted therein.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line of 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. I.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but wherein the combination is such that a card used is permitted to operate the device.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and I0 are plan views of four cards each with a different operating characteristic.

FIG. II is a view similar to FIG. 2 but wherein a mechanical movement replaces the electrical switch.

FIG. I2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 12-12 of FIG. II.

In an embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration there is shown a housing indicated generally by the reference character I0 which includes a cover plate I I, a front plate I2, and side plates I3 and I4. There is an entry slot 15 in the front plate I2 of such breadth and height as to provide access for a typical card I6.

In the embodiment herein described there is a stationary control plate I7 which for convenience extends from one sideplate I3 to the other sideplate 14.

A relatively stationary plate 18 extends from an inside face 19 of the sideplate 13 to an inside face 20 of the opposite sideplate 14.

Intermediate the control or combination plate 17 and the stationary plate 18 is a relatively movable plate 21, an upper face 22 of the movable plate 21 lying immediately adjacent a lower face 23 of the control plate thereby to form a shear line.

Adjacent an inner end 25 is a switch 26 mounted by means of a mounting block 27 to the lower face 23 of the control plate 17. An armature 29 of the switch 26 lies opposite and immediately adjacent the inner end 25 of the movable plate 21 thereby being subject to actuation by engagement of the movable plate with it. The switch 26 may be employed to actuate any driving electrical appliance (not shown).

Inasmuch as the movable plate 21 must be free to move or to be blocked against movement, depending upon requirement, there is provided a single set of axially aligned intercommunicating lock pin bores 35, 36, and 37, the lock pin bore 35 being in the movable plate, the lock pin bore 36 being in the combination plate, and the lock pin bore 37 being in the recess in the cover plate. A lock pin 38 in the lock pin bores 36 and 37 normally extends by gravity into the lock pin bore 35 as shown in FIG. 3, thereby to block movement of the movable plate 21. A relief pin 39 in the lock pin bore 35 has its upper end in engagement with the lower end of the lock pin 38. In this position of adjustment the movable plate 21 cannot be shifted endwise from right to left in order to engage and stop against the armature 29. The release pin 39 is limited in its downward movement by engagement against an upper surface 40 of the stationary plate 18. In other words, the lock pin 38 may be said to be extending through the shear line formed between the faces 22 and 23 of the respective plates 21 and 17.

In addition to the single lock pin there are, in the chosen embodiment, four sets of combination or control pins at stations 41, 42, 43 and 44. The construction of each of the stations is substantially identical and details are supplied by way of example for station 41. At this station there is a set of axially aligned intercommunicating control pin bores located respectively in the movable plate 21, the control or combination plate 17 and the cover plate 11. In the control pin bore 45 is a control or combination pin 50 which extends downwardly into engagement with the face 40 of the stationary plate I8, the upper end of the control or combination pin being located below the shear line formed between the faces 22 and 23.

A control or combination knob 51 is mounted nonrotatably upon a shaft 52, the shaft 52 being adapted to be received and rotate within the control pin bore 47. An actuating head 53 at the lower end of the shaft 52 is provided with a blocking shoulder 54 located offset from the longitudinal axis so that when the blocking shoulder 54 is in transverse position it is capable of blocking movement of the control or combination pin 50 when it is projected upwardly into the control pin bore 46 as shown in FIG. 5. When rotated the shoulder is in a position which permits movement of the pin 50 since the shoulder, when in alignment with the direction of movement of the movable plate, is offset far enough to clear the pin.

Extra pins 55 may be provided in appropriate bores 56 in the movable plate 21, either for use when additional control stations are provided or to assist the prevention of insertion of unauthorized cards. Longitudinal kerfs 57, 58, 59 etc. in the movable plate 21 may also be provided in order to foreclose insertion of unauthorized cards, and to assist the smooth sliding relationship of properly authorized cards. Stop pins 60 and 6] at the inner end of the movable plate 21 are adapted to move within a recess 62 at the inner end of the stationary plate 18 and to provide an abutment against which the card I6 is pressed when it enters the full length of a card slot 63, im-

mediately behind the entry slot and located intermediate the stationary plate 18 and the movable plate 21.

In operation let it be assumed that there are four sets of cards l6, l6, l6" and 16", identified respectively as P1, indicating period 1 as in FIG. 7, P2 as in FIG. 8, P3 as in FIG. 9, and P4 as in FIG. 10. These cards have exactly the same dimensions as to breadth, width and thickness and each has a projection 65 at the location of the lock pin 38. This means that the cards of all of the sets are authorized cards for at least some period and capable of moving the release pin 39 and the lock pin 38 far enough so that the point of engagement between adjacent ends of the pins lies in the shear plane between the faces 22 and 23 thereby freeing the movable plate 21 for movement endwise from the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 6, as the card 16 pushes against the stop pins 60 and 61. For all of the authorized cards PI, P2, P3 and P4 to so successfully operate the device, it is necessary that all of the knobs 51 be rotated to release or passing position, namely so that the locking shoulder 54 of each lies parallel to the direction of travel of the movable plate 21.

When it is desired to exclude operation of the device by card Pl, the knob 51 of station 41 is rotated to blocking position as indicated by the broken lines ofFlG. 7. A typical exam ple of such a situation is one where a parking lot rental might be divided into four quarterly periods and wherein the holders of cards Pl have paid for only the first quarterly period. At the end of that period, the control knob 51 of station 41 being set in blocking position bars all holders of the cards P] from manipulating the movable plate 21, thereby to gain entrance to a parking lot the gate ofwhich can be set in operation by activating the switch 26. The condition just made reference to is illustrated in FIG. 5 where, for example, a projection 66 lifts the control pin 50 so that it projects above the shear line between the faces 22 and 23 to a position where, when an attempt is made to shift the movable plate 21 endwise in a direction from right to left, the control pin is moved against the blocking shoulder 54 which thereby blocks movement of the movable plate 21. Hence, even though the locking pin has been released by insertion of the card Pl, the device cannot be manipulated because of the setting of the knob 51 of station 41.

Meanwhile the card P2 can be inserted to its fully operative position because when a projection 67 passes under the control pin 50 it merely lifts the pin temporarily and then passes from beneath the pin 50 permitting it to fall again to lowered position while the projection 67 travels ultimately to station 42 where it lifts the control pin 50 of that station elevating it to a position above the shear line between the faces 22 and 23. On the assumption that the period of validity of the cards P2 has now expired and holders of such cards are to be denied access, the knob 51 of station 42 is then set to blocking position. Therefore the card P2 cannot be used to move the movable plate 2I and holders of the cards P2 cannot manipulate the switch 26 even though the card is capable of shifting the lock pin to released position.

In precisely the same fashion holders of cards P3 can be barred entry by resetting the knob 51 of station 43 and the knob 51 ofstation 44 respectively.

Other projections 68, 69, 70, etc. are mere dummy projections in order to make a card combination less easily decipherable by unauthorized persons.

Although only four stations 41, 42, 43, and 44 have been shown, this is by way of example only inasmuch as there may on occasions be fewer than four stations and on other occasions be more than four stations, all constructed in the same manner but differently located so as to cooperate with cards having projections at corresponding locations. Further still although a very simple use of the device has been described, the same device may be subjected to a different combination of settings of the station in order to require a different combination of projections on cards for release of the movable plate 21. Further still although the device is illustrated as one capable of moving the armature 25 of a switch 26, the movement effected is physical motion which may as readily be translated by mechanical leverage to do work of a kind appropriate to a device of the type described. The device also is one suited for release by a master card at any time by providing a card devoid of projections and any of the stations 41,42, 43, or 44 but with a projection at the location of the lock pin, suitable additional dummy projections being included as desired.

In a second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the card when inserted into the device so as to move the movable plate 21 shifts a mechanical trip rather than the armature of an electric switch.

By way of example, there is shown a bellcrank 75 pivotally mounted by means of a screw 76 on the underside of the mounting block 27. One arm 77 of the bellcrank is provided with an adjusting screw 78 and is adapted to be engaged by the inner end 25 of the movable plate 21, in the same fashion as the movable plate engages the armature 29 as previously described. To a second arm 79 of the bellcrank is attached a cable 80 which travels through a flexible sheathing 81 to a point of engagement with a mechanically actuated element, such for example as a latch housing 82 wherein, by suitable conventional means, the cable when shifted by action of the bellcrank 75 is adapted to release a latch bolt 83. The latch bolt has been described merely by way of example in that movement of the cable 80 by the bellcrank can by a proper system of leverages be made large or small so as to shift an appropriate variety of mechanical devices.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent is:

Iclaim:

l. A card actuated device comprising a frame, a set of cards having a predetermined width and thickness, a card accepting assembly comprising a movable plate and a supporting surface forming a card slot with one side of said movable plate, said movable plate having a card stop thereon, said frame including a control plate overlying and adjacent said movable plate whereby to determine a shear line therebetween, a set of axially aligned intercommunicating lock pin bores contained respectively in said control plate and said movable plate, at least one set of axially aligned intercommunicating control pin bores contained respectively in said control plate and said movable plate, a pin in one of said control pin bores, a lock pin in the lock pin bore of said control plate and an actuator pin in the lock pin bore of said movable plate normally extending into the card slot and in engagement with said lock pin, a combination pin in the combination pin bore of said movable plate normally extending at one end into said card slot and the other end being spaced inwardly away from the shear line, and a control element in alignment with said control pin and having alternative blocking and clear positions with respect to said control pin when said control pin extends through the shear line, the cards of said set having a projection in alignment with the lock pin bores when said cards are in engagement with the stop in the slot, said projection being of height adapted to move the lock pins in said lock pin bores to a position wherein the point of engagement of said lock pins coincides with the shear line and allows potential movement of said movable plates, at least one card of said set having another projection thereon in alignment with one set of said control pin bores when said card is in engagement with the stop in the slot, said projection being of height adapted to move said control pin past said shear line to a position of engagement with said control element when said control element is in blocking position, and an actuated member in alignment with said movable plate responsive to movement by said movable plate when the control element is in clear position.

2. A card actuated device as in claim 1 wherein there is a plurality of sets of control pin bores having each a control pin and a control element and a plurality of cards in said set, at least one of said plurality of cards having a projection in alignmerit with one of said sets of control pin bores and at least one other of said plurality of cards having a projection in alignment with another of said sets of control pin bores whereby said cards are dependent upon the settings of the control elements for operation of the movable plate.

3. A card actuated device as in claim 1 wherein the control element is a turn button having a shaft extending through said control plate, the inner end of said shaft having a shoulder thereon engageable with said control pin in blocking position and clear of said control pin in clear position.

4. A card actuated device as in claim 2 wherein each control element is a turn button having a shaft extending through said control plate, the inner end of said shaft having a shoulder thereon engageable with said control pin in blocking position and clear of said control pin in clear position.

5. A card actuated device as in claim I wherein the actuated member is the armature of an electric switch.

6. A card actuated device as in claim 2 wherein there is a plurality oflongitudinally extending guide slots in communication with said card slot and wherein authorized cards of said set of cards have projections thereon in alignment with one or more guide slits and unauthorized cards have projections thereon out ofalignment with one or more guide slots.

7. A card actuated device as in claim 2 wherein certain cards of said set of cards have no projection in alignment with one ofsaid sets of control pin bores whereby to render the corresponding control element inoperative to control movement of the movable plate.

8. A card actuated device as in claim 2 wherein there is a cover plate extending over said control plate and said control elements extend through said cover plate.

9. A card actuated device as in claim 1 wherein there is a housing extending over outer ends of said control plates and a slot in said housing in alignment with the slot between said combination plates.

10. A card actuated device as in claim 2 wherein some of said sets of control pin bores are at longitudinally spaced positions and some of said sets of control pin bores are at laterally spaced positions.

11. -A card actuated device as in claim I wherein the actuated member is a mechanical transfer element and wherein there is a mechanically actuated device operably connected to the mechanical transfer element for actuation thereby.

I 12. A card actuated device as in claim 1 wherein the actuated member is a lever, one arm of which is adapted to be engaged by the movable plate and the other end is adapted to be operably connected to a mechanical assembly, and wherein there is a movable adjustment between the lever and the movable plate. 

